Stuff could always be worse

My Squirrel Shield

2012-01-27T14:07:00.001-05:00

I am continuing my squirrel posts since I know tenacious squirrels will not stop trying to get to the bird seed.

We bought this squirrel blocker at Home Depot and it has worked for us for several years.

Hubs designed and made me this bird feeder....he would make boxes etc to try to block the squirrels from climbing up this pole

However, the squirrels would figure out a way to get past them
til we bought this....
they cannot get past this shield even though they still try!

I was not asked to promote this product....just wanted to share what works for us

I hope this helps someone!

Squirrel Watching

2012-01-25T09:30:00.001-05:00

This squirrel is looking for bird seed that may have fallen
under our deck...

Squirrels can be an annoyance but they
are fun to watch.

However you feel about squirrels
They are tenacious!

A Rainy Weekend!

2012-01-23T09:41:00.000-05:00

We have been in a bit of a drought so....
I was Thankful for a rainy ~~night~~ weekend in Georgia.

I thought this blurry pic captures the feeling of heavy rain
.....outside my window

The sun did shine again but with very muddy water

Many analogies here.....

as more storms head in our direction

I join Top Shot at The view from right here

Getting Out of the House

2012-01-20T12:05:00.000-05:00

If you work outside the home, you may not understand how simply

going out helps me psychologically!

I went to our MS Self Help Group meeting....

when I wanted to stay at home, for no reason.

However, I think if I do not get out of the house....

I will become homebound when

I am blessed to have a choice physically to go or stay at home.

I made myself to go since I do enjoy the meetings

and Just getting out.....seeing other people

makes me feel better.

Maybe we are meant to be social creatures!

My Leg Spasm Lesson

2012-01-17T11:04:00.001-05:00

I like these warm, comfy boots that Hubs gave me for Christmas

He knew that I am always cold

(notice those paws that are always near me)

However, I discovered when my legs are warm and toasty

I say Aww as my legs ~~cramp~~ spasm.

My Doctor said, "You are right, Heat does affect Spasticity"

I am sharing what works for me as I freeze during this warm winter.

I try to listen to my body and it said...

It is necessary that my hot legs stay cold!

Jealous of my Computer

2012-01-13T13:02:00.001-05:00

I share a picture of pure jealousy

(even though you can see my messiness behind the laptop table).

After I had been on the computer awhile I backed up my chair
I did have stuff to get done

I headed back to the computer.....yet Donny was blocking me.

He stared at me while I was saying "Move" yet he would not move

I started laughing at his show of jealousy

Even furry kids want attention when we ignore them!

My Childhood Globe

2012-01-11T12:19:00.001-05:00

I asked my Grandfather to get me this globe for Christmas

40 years ago.

I found different parts of the world so interesting....that I had a brief penpal from Yemen when I was very young.

We would write letters way before computers

I could not imagine that I could be typing to people from all over the world later!

Things have certainly changed since I would study this globe!

Slow as a Snail

2012-01-09T10:37:00.000-05:00

There are days that I feel like this snail
I think we all have those days....

The snail seems to be carrying his home on his back

Of course, this is a natural way for a snail to move

Thankfully, Hubs goes to the grocery store when I feel slow

and I stay home and blog!

PS....I saw a positive report on ABC News about MS

you can see it here

My Son Got Married

2012-01-06T10:54:00.001-05:00

Jacob and Kayla

I have high hopes for them as they are beginning to build a new life together!

They married in California so we could not be there.
Fortunately we have DVDs, photos, etc to communicate with.

My aunt took the following video....it is my son telling the story of his engagement....you cannot hear my voice but it is my family enjoying the surprise engagement story:

The Beauty of Ice

2012-01-04T11:41:00.001-05:00

I woke this morning to 15 degrees outside but
Thankfully I have heat inside my house!

I am Blessed to see geese on the icy lake today.

Look for beauty even if it is an ice crystal!

Campus Book Rentals

2012-01-03T08:29:00.001-05:00

Campus Book Rentals

"Rent textbooks without the risk of your books becoming worthless by the end of the semester. Rent college textbooks from the comfort of your home or office.
Don't lose money at your school bookstore anymore. Rent textbooks along with customers on over 4,000 college campuses that have used our service so far.
Campus Book Rentals offers new and gently used textbooks for typically less than half the price you'll pay in your school bookstore.
Renting textbooks saves you money plain and simple and gets the same result in your classes as buying your books. "

Disclaimer: I received a small monetary compensation from Campus Book Rentals for this post....however the idea of renting Campus books seems good to me.

Hauling a Tree in a Smart Car

2012-01-02T09:01:00.001-05:00

This following event happened the day after Christmas:

We were happy to find a new Christmas tree but

when we were in the store I asked my Hubs

"how do we get this tree home?"
since we were in a ~~tiny~~ Smart car

Hubs became a professional packer when he used to live in a submarine! during his Navy days

He showed me it was possible when I kept doubting him

So...when it seems impossible....Believe or just trust your Hubs!

New Design for New Year

2011-12-28T11:04:00.001-05:00

LOOK I have a new blog header

I am excited about it....and feel the need to tell yall!

I give kudos to An Orginal Belle who designed this for me.

I have tons of stuff to blog about later on.....

as I go back to hibernating this week!

I Heard The Bells

2011-12-23T10:56:00.000-05:00

When I learned the history of this poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.....This song has encouraged me even more to hear the Christmas Bells!

"A few months after the Civil War began in 1861, Frances Longfellow was sealing an envelope with wax when her dress caught fire. Despite her husband's desperate attempts to save her, she died the next day".

During his distraught times.....Longfellow still heard the Christmas Bells and wrote the poem below.

Christmas Bells

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play, 
    And wild and sweet 
    The words repeat 
Of peace on earth, good-will to men! 

And thought how, as the day had come, 
The belfries of all Christendom 
    Had rolled along 
    The unbroken song 
Of peace on earth, good-will to men! 

Till ringing, singing on its way, 
The world revolved from night to day, 
    A voice, a chime, 
    A chant sublime 
Of peace on earth, good-will to men! 

Then from each black, accursed mouth 
The cannon thundered in the South, 
    And with the sound 
    The carols drowned 
Of peace on earth, good-will to men! 

It was as if an earthquake rent 
The hearth-stones of a continent, 
    And made forlorn 
    The households born 
Of peace on earth, good-will to men! 

And in despair I bowed my head; 
"There is no peace on earth," I said; 
    "For hate is strong, 
    And mocks the song 
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" 

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: 
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; 
    The Wrong shall fail, 
    The Right prevail, 
With peace on earth, good-will to men."

Take the time to hear the bells after my history lesson...

      I wish yall a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Days of My Horse-Dog

2011-12-20T15:30:00.001-05:00

Donny ran in the door carrying a big stick

I said "Donny what did you bring in the house?"

Rfff Nothin, do I look guilty?

Funny how I see that my ~~horse~~ dog was bringing me a present

when really he was playing with a beloved stick!

My Favorite Christmas Decorations

2011-12-16T12:39:00.001-05:00

This was made by my Mother-in-law 25 years ago

My Mom gave me this to me a long time ago

My Son when he was 5 years old

My daughter made this at school 1993


my daughter bought this for me is NYC she went there with her school

My 11 year old tree

I always liked this tree but it has seen better days....when it was young!

This makes up my Christmas tree full of ~~old~~ precious memories!

I Changed my MS Treatments

2011-12-14T11:22:00.001-05:00

I took the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) treatment Copaxone for one year but I had injection site irritations. I knew about those irritations from when I had previously taken Betaseron in 1994.

I wanted to try Copaxone because several other MSer's that I knew, had good results while using it.

However, I had taken Avonex successfully for 11 years.....So why did I change when we are all so different?

Maybe it was the fact that Hubs gives me the injection since I compare it to a ~~harpoon~~ Ok it is a large needle......always lookin for meds with smaller needles.

I learned the old sayin of "If it ain't broke, then don't fix it" was true for me! I am back to using Avonex which works for me.

Different subject that is not so technical:

I received this beautiful Christmas card from Anne at HotchPotch Ehhh?? in Denmark.....Anne shares the history of these beautiful weaved heart cards

My Night Driving

2011-12-12T11:00:00.001-05:00

net pic

This is a ~~huge~~ small accomplishment for me to be thrilled about!

I wanted to go to our MS Self Help Groups Christmas ~~Party~~ Dinner

however Hubs was working....therefore I was apprehensive about driving in the dark.

When I drive at night....it seems like the bright lights of other cars look like the above pic

As I grow older my eyes are not what they used to be...dah

(like the rest of my body)

I was happy when I was back at home....with a sense of accomplishment and relief.

I will be trying new eyeglasses that may shield the glare.

I am Thankful for small achievements and eyeglasses!

My Three Year Bloggiversary

2011-12-09T11:41:00.000-05:00

The following is one of my first blog posts out of 500 posts. I show it with all its flaws to say that practice makes perfect it better:

December 2008: Everyday life with MS

I AM WRITTING THIS AFTER A LONG DAY. TIRED OF COURSE, BUT THANKS TO MY POWER WHEELCHAIR, I HAVE THE DISHWASHER RUNNING NOW. I AM COUNTING DOWN THE STUFF I HAVE TO GET DONE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. SINCE MY JOURNALISM IS SO BAD, I WONDER WHY I AM DOING THIS. I KNOW THERE IS A PURPOSE FOR EVERYTHING AND MAYBE ONE PERSON WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO KEEP ON TRYING.

I had 5 followers with one comment that inspired me to keep on blogging. (Thanks Lynn)

A little encouragement can make a big difference in ones life

At least I stopped typing in all caps!

My Cactus Flourishes

2011-12-07T14:18:00.000-05:00

What does my cactus show me?

I knew it had grown a lot but I was surprised by how much it

had grown in 6 years.


The same cactus in 2005

The plant took time, attention, care, and lots of light to grow

I feel that life is the same way.

Thankful for Memories

2011-12-05T18:07:00.000-05:00

Grumpy Oscar and Happy Shelby

After grumpy Oscar passed away recently.....I found this old photo of Oscar and Shelby.

Many years ago, we had adopted a puppy so that Oscar would not be lonely....

I am not sure Oscar appreciated that fact.

Therefore Oscar was forced to raise the happy dog, Shelby.

Back when happy Shelby was a puppy with older grumpy Oscar....Shelby kept yelping as puppies do.

Oscar could not take that yelping puppy anymore so....

Oscar went over and looked down at her and barked a few stern barks.....Shelby looked up and quietly barked Ok and hushed.

Oscar was not mean to Shelby and they both lived long, full lives!

Maybe the Christmas season causes me to feel reflective or is it the old photos...whatever it is...I am thankful for memories!

Gift of Lights

2011-12-02T11:04:00.000-05:00

Hubs and I drove through the Gift of Lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

We began the tour of more than one million LED lights along a 1.5-mile drive through course

It brought out the kid in us to see the lights while driving through the tunnel under the stands.

There were many themes of lights.

They had us listen to their radio station of Christmas music as you drove.....NASCAR drivers like Tony Stewart, Darryl Waldrop, Brad Keselowski, Bill Elliot, Carl Edwards was speaking between the songs.

car loads of kids enjoying the lights

Georgia Gift of Lights website has all the info...the cost is $15 per car

Disclaimer: I was given a free ticket to the Gift of Lights to blog about my tour

I had to remind Hubs that he was not a NASCAR driver when we drove home!

However Hubs and I enjoyed the lights!

Words 4 MS

2011-11-30T12:22:00.000-05:00

I was asked (freely) to share this info about MS Lifelines for those living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)....Check it out if you want to:

In order to inspire others through compelling real stories, MS LifeLines asked the MS community to tell its story through four words in a video earlier this year. Now, you can check out some of these stories from Words 4 MS and share them with friends at http://on.fb.me/ucIogz.

Starting in March, to honor MS Awareness Week, MS LifeLines invited the MS community to submit a video that uses four words to illustrate how individuals feel, what inspires them, or reminds them of someone who helped them through their MS journey. Now, a video montage of select submissions is available for viewing. The video features individual stories from people impacted by MS. You can also go to www.MSLifeLines.com/Words4MS to submit your own video today.

MS LifeLines is an educational support service for people living with MS and their families. MS LifeLines is sponsored by EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc.

I Have a Cold!

2011-11-28T09:55:00.000-05:00

feeling a little like this Plant

Funny how a cold was a big deal when I was a kid

Now it is just a minor irritation when I compare it to the aches of growing older!

(forgetting other aches)

Trying to keep Perspective today

PS: Our Thanksgiving was nice with Dad and family
Starting to get up a Christmas tree and back to blogging!

I Confess that I was a Grinch

2011-11-25T10:04:00.000-05:00

I had a memorable Thanksgiving yesterday however today is what is known as "Black Friday"....so I share this thought about Christmas.

It was written by Susie at Recovering Church Lady. I must confess that I did gripe about Christmas being too commercialized....til I read this post on her blog:

Christian Grinches?

Written Dec. 2010........
You will not read many rants on this blog but I do have an issue with a phenomenon that occurs every Christmas and it really bugs me. I do not understand the Christians who gripe about how "our" holiday is being ruined by commercialism, greed and division. Don't they see that they are ruining it by complaining and moaning about it all season?

I read a news article about some church people and atheists who are putting up dueling billboards to prove.....well, I don't know what they are trying to prove, it makes no sense! Do they think that some words on a big sign are going to change the way a nation thinks about Christmas? Or about Jesus?

The fictional character, the Grinch is about a creature who hates all the warm fuzzy feelings and spirit of giving that appear every December. Scrooge would get along really well with him. Unfortunately I am seeing and hearing a lot of church people who could be part of the same club! All they talk about is the greed and commercialism of Christmas. Don't they hear themselves? The subject is the opposite side of the issue but the mood and tone are exactly the same!

Maybe it is a 'glass half full or glass half empty' kind of thing. I see this time of year totally different.

I walk through stores and hear God being honored and praised in the overhead music being piped in for all to hear. Can you imagine any other time that the words, "Glory to God in the highest" would be resounding in your ear as you are reaching for the dish soap off the store shelf?

The malls are crazy-busy and the lines are long, but it is because everyone is hunting down a gift to give away. The desire to find the perfect item that will bring a smile to a friend can't be a bad thing, can it? We are spending hard-earned money to express our love for one another. Not only are we buying gifts to give away but the treasure is being wrapped in pretty paper and sparkly bow, so that it brings a smile even before the friend knows what is hidden inside!

What other time of year could you get away with walking from house to house singing songs about Jesus? I know that Christmas caroling does not happen much any more, but how crazy is that tradition? The recent uploads of flash mob musicals on YouTube are evidence that singing for other's enjoyment is still alive. Maybe these are the new version of caroling!

Houses and yards are full of bright lights and scenes of cheer. Just driving to a friend's house at night is a colorful and uplifting experience! So what if there are more Santa scenes than Jesus scenes! Both are delivering a message of love and generosity.

My Santa collection.

I love Jesus and I love Santa. I also have no problem distinguishing which one is real and which one is pretend. My Christmas includes both of them and seeing more Santas in store decorations does not make me angry or jealous that Jesus is not getting enough attention. I know He is the reason for the season but I don't need to walk around shouting it to the world.

This is a unique time of year when we as Christians have so much opportunity to love others and give of ourselves in so many ways. We can walk around humming songs that speak of angels and the Savior. Strangers aren't freaked out if we smile at them and say "Merry Christmas", blessing them as we go about our daily business.

What is the main question people ask one another at this time of year? "Are you going home for Christmas?". This holiday promotes family time and gathering with our loved ones. Christmas movies and stories are about forgiving one another and letting bygones be bygones. Hallmark movies make us all teary and mushy because they point us back to our families and healing old wounds.

Jesus is the center of it all!

There is something about this season that calls us up to a better, kinder, more loving standard. Why complain about commercialism when it is pointing people in the right direction ultimately? I plan on exploiting Christmas and enjoying every opportunity to smile big at strangers and totally ruining the dark moods of the Grinches!